Network functions virtualization management and orchestration method, network functions virtualization management and orchestration system, and program

ABSTRACT

VNF (Virtual Network Function) descriptor (VNFD) is configured to include an entry that describes a definition of at least one predetermined apparatus connected to each VDU (Virtual Deployment Unit) on a same layer as an information element of the VDU, with a definition element including an apparatus name of the apparatus being provided under the entry and associated with the entry. The VNFD is received from a storage unit storing the VNFD, and an associated instance is created.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/051895 filed Jan. 22, 2016, claiming priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-011810, filed Jan. 23, 2015, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The present invention relates to a network management and orchestration technology. More specifically, the invention relates to a method, a system, and a program suitable for being applied to network functions virtualization (Network Functions Virtualization) management and orchestration.

TECHNICAL FIELD Background Art

There is known NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) or the like configured to implement a network apparatus and so on in software, using a virtualization technology that virtualizes hardware resources (computing, storage, network functions and so on) of a server by a virtual machine (VM: Virtual Machine) implemented on a virtualization layer (Virtualization Layer) such as a hypervisor (HyperVisor) on the server. The NFV is implemented, based on a MANO (Management & Orchestration) architecture, for example. FIG. 1 is a diagram cited from FIG. 5.1 (The NFV-MANO architectural framework with reference points) on page 23 of Non-Patent Literature 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, VNF (Virtualized Network Function) corresponds to an application or the like running on a virtual machine (VM) on a server, and implements a network function in software. As VNF, MME (Mobility Management Entity), S-GW (Serving Gateway), P-GW (PDN Gateway), and so forth on EPC (Evolved Packet Core) that is a core network of LTE (Long Term Evolution) network may be implemented by software (virtual machine). In the example of FIG. 1, a management function referred to as EM (Element Manager: element management) is provided for each VNF, for example.

NFVI (Network Functions Virtualization Infrastructure) that constitutes an implementation infrastructure of each VNF is an infrastructure that allows hardware resources of a physical machine (server) such as computing, storage, and network functions to be flexibly handled as virtualized hardware resources such virtualized computing, virtualized storage, virtualized network, and so on which have been virtualized using a virtualization layer such as a hypervisor.

NFV MANO (Management & Orchestration) includes an NFV-Orchestrator (NFVO), a VNF-manager (VNFM), and a Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIM).

The NFV-Orchestrator (NFVO) performs orchestration of NFVI resources and lifecycle management (such as Instantiation, Scaling, Termination, and Update of each NS instance) of NSs (Network Services). The NFV-Orchestrator also performs management of an NS catalog (NSD/VLD/VNFFGD) and a VNF catalog (VNFD/VM images/manifest files, etc.), and includes a repository of NS instances and a repository of the NFVI resources.

The VNF-Manager (VNFM) performs VNF lifecycle management (such as instantiation, update, query, scaling, termination, etc.) and event notification.

The virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIM) performs control of the NFVI (such as computing, storage, network resource management, fault monitoring of the NFVI being the implementation infrastructure of the NFV, and monitoring of resource information) through the virtualization layer.

OSS (Operations Support Systems) are a generic term for systems (such as apparatuses, software, and schemes) necessary for telecommunications carriers (carriers) to construct and manage services, for example. BSS (Business Support systems) are a generic term for information systems (such as apparatuses, software, and schemes) to be used for accounting for and charging of a usage charge and handling of a customer by the telecommunications carriers.

The NS Catalogue (NS catalog: an NS Catalogue in FIG. 1) represents repository of network Services. NS Catalogue supports creation and management of NS deployment templates (Network Service Descriptor (NSD), Virtual Link Descriptor (VLD), and VNF Forwarding Graph Descriptor (VNFFGD)).

The VNF catalog (VNF catalog: a VNF Catalogue in FIG. 1) represents repository of VNF packages. The VNF catalog supports creation and management of each VNF package of a VNF Descriptor (VNFD), a software image, a manifest file and so forth.

The NFV instance repository (NFV instances Repository: NFV Instances in FIG. 1) holds information of all VNF instances and Network Service instances. Each VNF instance and each NS instance are represented respectively by a VNF record and by an NS record. Those records are updated during a lifecycle of the respective instances, reflecting changes resulting from execution of NS lifecycle management operations and/or VNF lifecycle management operations.

The NFVI resources repository (NFVI Resources Repository: NFVI Resources in FIG. 1) holds information on available/reserved/allocated resources as extracted by the VIM across operator's infrastructure domains.

Referring to FIG. 1, a reference point Os-Nfvo is a reference point between the OSS (Operations Support Systems)/BSS (Business Support Systems) and the NFVO, and is used for forwarding a lifecycle management request of each network service, a VNF lifecycle management request, state information associated with NFV, exchange of policy management information, and so on.

A reference point Vnfm-Vi is used for a resource allocation request from the VNFM and exchange of virtualized resource configuration and state information.

A reference point Ve-Vnfm-em is used between the EM and the VNFM for VNF instantiation, VNF instance retrieval, VNF instance update, VNF instance termination, VNF instance scaling-out/in, VNF instance scaling-up/down, forwarding of configuration and events from the EM to the VNFM, and notification of configuration and events regarding the VNF from the VNFM to the EM, and so on.

A reference point Ve-Vnfm-Vnf is used between the VNF and the VNFM for VNF instantiation, VNF instance retrieval, VNF instance update, VNF instance termination, VNF instance scaling-out/in, VNF instance scaling-up/down, forwarding of configuration and events from the VNF to the VNFM, and notification of configuration and events regarding the VNF from the VNFM to the VNF, and so on.

A reference point Nf-Vi is used for VM allocation with indication of compute/storage resource, update of VM resources allocation, VM migration, VM termination, creation and removal of connection between VMs, etc., virtual resources allocation in response to a resource allocation request, forwarding of virtual resource state information, exchange of configuration and state information of hardware resources, and so on.

A reference point Vn-Nf indicates an execution environment to be provided to the VNF by the NFVI.

A reference point Nfvo-Vnfm is used for a resource-related request (of validation, reservation (reservation), or allocation, etc.) by the VNF-manager (VNFM) and forwarding of configuration information to the VNFM, and collection of VNF state information.

A reference point Nfvo-Vi is used for a resource reservation request and a resource allocation request from the NFVO, and exchange of virtual resource configuration and state information (for details, reference may be made to Non-Patent Literature 1).

FIG. 2 is cited from FIG. 6.2 (Information elements in different context) on page 40 of Non-Patent Literature 1. An instantiation input parameter is input.

Referring to FIG. 2, a network service descriptor (Network Service Descriptor: NSD) is a network service deployment template for referencing other descriptors that describe components constituting a network service (NS).

A VNF descriptor (VNF Descriptor: VNFD) is a deployment template that describes a VNF in terms of deployment and operational behavior requirements.

The VNFD is mainly used by the VNFM in VNF instantiation (instantiation) and VNF instance lifecycle management. The VNFD is used for a network service and management and orchestration of virtualized resources on the NFVI (automation of deployment/setting/management of a computer system/middleware/service) by the NFVO. The VNFD also contains connectivity, interface and KPIs requirements that can be used by NFV-MANO functional blocks to establish appropriate Virtual Links within the NFVI between its VNFC instances, or between a VNF instance and the endpoint interface to the other network functions.

A VNF Forwarding Graph Descriptor (VNFFGD) is a deployment template that describes a network service topology or a part of the topology by referring to the VNFs, PNFs, and Virtual Links connecting those VNFs and PNFs.

A virtual link descriptor (Virtual Link Descriptor: VLD) is a deployment template that describes resource requirements necessary for links between the VNFs, between the PNFs, and between NS endpoints (endpoints) that can be used by the NFVI.

A physical network function descriptor (Physical Network Function Descriptor: PNFD) describes connectivity (connectivity), interface and KPIs requirements of a virtual link, for a function of an attached physical network. The PNFD is needed when a physical device is incorporated into an NS, and facilitates addition of a network.

The NSD, the VNFFGD, and the VLD are included in the NS catalog (Network Service Catalogue in FIG. 2), and the VNFD is included in the VNF catalogue (VNF Catalogue in FIG. 2) as the VNF package.

An NS or a VNF instantiation operation is performed from OSS/BSS or VNFM to NFVO. As a result of the instantiation operation, each record indicating a newly created instance is created. Each record to be created based on information to be given by each descriptor and additional runtime information related to a component instance provides data for modeling a network service (NS) instance state, for example.

As types of the instance records (NFV Instances) to be created, there may be listed the following types, for example:

-   -   Network Service Record (NSR);     -   VNFFG Record (VNFFGR);     -   Virtual Link Record (VLR);     -   VNF (Virtualized Network Function) Record (VNFR); and     -   PNF (Physical Network Function) Record (PNFR).

Information elements of the NSR, the VNFR, the VNFFGR, and the VLR provide a data item group necessary for modeling states of an NS instance, a VNF instance, a VNFFG instance, and a VL instance.

The PNF Record (PNFR) indicates an instance related to a pre-existing PNF which is part of an NS and contains a set of runtime attributes regarding PNF information (including connectivity relevant to the NFVO). An overview of each element of the NFV is summarized as lists in Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1 Functional Entity Description OSS/BSS Comprehensively performs operations/business support. A plurality of EMSs and Orchestrator are deployed on a low-order layer of OSS/BSS. Orchestrator Orchestration across a plurality of VIMs Management of NS(Network Service) deployment templates and VNF packages Management of instantiation and lifecycle management of NSs Management of instantiation of VNFM Management of VNF instantiation in coordination with VNFM Validation and authorization of NFVI resource request from VNFM Management of integrity and visibility of NS instances through their lifecycle Management of relationship between NS instances and VNF instances, using NFV instances Repository Topology management of NS instances Automated management of NS instances VNF-Manager Performs VNF lifecycle management * and event notification management. Virtualized Performs resource management and control of Infrastructure NFV infrastructure as follows: Manager (VIM) Management of computing, storage, and network resources Resource allocation in response to a request Monitoring of a fault state of NFV Infrastructure Monitoring of resource information of NFV Infrastructure * Instantiation, Auto-Scaling, Auto-Healing, Update, and so on

TABLE 2 Functional Entity Description Service VND and Defines information templates that become Infrastructure necessary for deploying each Network Service Description and each VNF NSD: a template that describes requirements and constraint conditions necessary for deployment of the NS VLD: describes resource requirements of a logical link connecting VNFs or connecting PNFs that constitute NS VNFGD: a template that describes a logical topology for and assignment of NS VNFD: a template that describes requirements and constraint conditions necessary for deploying VNF PNFD: describes, for a physical network function, connectivity, external interface, and KPIs requirements of a VL. NS Catalogue Repository of NSs Management of NS deployment templates (NSD, VLD, VNFFGD) VNF Catalogue Describes repository of each VNF. Management of each VNF package (VNFD, software images, manifest files, etc.) NFV Instances Holds instance information of all the VNFs and Repository all the NSs. Information on each instance is described in Record. Record is updated according to lifecycle of each instance. NFVI Resources Holds information of NFVI resources (NFVI Repository resources as abstracted by VIM across operator's Infrastructure Domains) that are available/reserved/allocated, for abstraction VNF Refers to a virtualized Network Function and refers to a VM (e.g., MME, SGW, PGW or the like) in which an EPC application is installed, being configured with VNF. EMS Performs management of FCAPS (FCAPS: Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance and Security) of VNF. NFVI A resource infrastructure in which VNF is executed. Comprises computing, a storage, and a network. Physical resources are abstracted by hypervisor and abstracted resources are managed and controlled by VIM and are provided to VNF.

CITATION LIST Non-Patent Literature

Non-Patent Literature 1

ETSI GS NFV-MAN 001 V1.1.1 (2014-12) Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV); Management and Orchestration http://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_gs/NFV-MAN/001_099/001/01.01.01_6 0/gs_NFV-MAN001v010101p .pdf

SUMMARY

An analysis by the inventor of the present invention will be given below.

An example of a relationship among VNF, VNFCs (VNF Components) and VDU (Virtualization Deployment Unit) will be described, with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an example where VNFC is set for each logical interface in a VNF obtained by virtualizing an S-GW (Serving gateway). Each VDU is an entity used for an information model configured to support description of partial or whole deployment and operational behaviors of the VNF. VNFI configured to provide an implementation infrastructure of the VNF includes a virtual computing, a virtual storage, and a virtual network, each virtualized on a virtualization layer such as a hypervisor. There is provided a virtual machine on a virtualization layer (where the virtual machine includes a virtual CPU (Central Processing Unit), a virtual memory, a virtual storage, and a guest OS (Operating System)), with an application being executed on the guest OS. Compute, Storage, and Network below the virtualization layer schematically represent hardware resources such as a CPU, a storage, and a network interface controller (Network Interface Controller: NIC). Vn-Nf represents an execution environment to be provided to the VNF by the NFVI.

In FIG. 3, where SGW is constituted by VNF, VNFC is configured for each logical interface, logical interfaces S11, Gx, and S5/S8-C with respect to C-Plane (Control Plane) are collectively defined as one VDU (VM), and logical interfaces S1U, S5/S8-U, and S12 with respect to U-Plane are collectively defined as one VDU (VM). C in S5/S8-C represents a control plane (Control Plane). U in the S1U and S5/S8-U represents a user plane (User-plane).

In EPC, S11 is a control plane interface between MME and SGW, S5/S8 is a user plane interface between SGW and PGW, S1U is an interface between eNodeB (evolved NodeB) and Core Network, Gx is an interface between PGW and PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function), S11 is an interface between MME and S-GW, S12 is an interface between UTRAN (Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network) and S-GW.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a logical relationship among respective descriptors (cited from FIG. 6.4 on page 60 of Non-Patent Literature 1). FIG. 4 illustrates relationships between internal virtual links (internal Virtual Links) and external virtual links (external Virtual Links). FIG. 4 also illustrates relationships of connection points (Connection Points) among VNFs, VNFCs, and VLs (Virtual Links) in a network service (NS).

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a structure (hierarchical structure, or a tree structure) of a VNF descriptor (VNFD) in Non-Patent Literature 1 with respect to a standard specification of NFV-MANO (reference mat be made to Non-Patent Literature 1). FIG. 6 is a diagram obtained by citing 6.3.1.1 (vnfd base information elements) on page 44 of Non-Patent Literature 1, and is a diagram illustrating basic information elements of the VNF descriptor (VNFD) that is the deployment template describing a VNF in terms of deployment and operational behavior requirements.

An entry (element) whose type is a leaf (Leaf) in FIG. 6 and so on designates a leaf (end node) in a template of a tree structure (hierarchical structure), and indicates an element including no other element. Generally, the leaf element is an empty element or a text. Element (Element Tree) includes a child node (having an ID).

Regarding VNFD that is a root element of the template, the there are defined on the same layer as VNFD following information items that define requirements and constraint conditions for VNF:

VDU (Virtualized Deployment Unit);

virtual link (Virtual Link) (0 to N);

connection points (Connection Points) (1 to N); and

deployment flavors (Deployment Flavors) (1 to N), where N is an integer not less than 1.

VDU (Virtual Deployment Unit) is an entity used for an information model to support description of a partial or whole deployment and operational behaviors of VNF. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating VDU base elements (vdu base elements) defined in a form of a table (6.3.1.2.1 in Non-Patent Literature 1). VDU includes one or more VNFCs as child nodes, as information defining requirements and constraint conditions for the VDU constituting VNF. Information elements of VNFC are illustrated in FIG. 7B (reference may be made to 6.3.1.2.1.1 in Non-Patent Literature 1). VNFC includes one or more connection points (Connection point) as leaf elements. Information elements of connection point (Connection point) are illustrated in FIG. 7C (reference may be made to 6.3.1.2.1.2 in Non-Patent Literature 1).

For VDU, requirements and constraint conditions for various resources to be used by VDU (VDU information on CPUs, virtual switches, security, hypervisor, PCIe (PCI express), reliability and availability (reliability and availability), and storage (see FIG. 8A: reference may be made to 6.3.1.2.10 in Non-Patent Literature 1), network interface, and so on, for example) are defined. As illustrated in FIG. 9A, the template (descriptor) of the storage includes a storage requirement (storage requirement), an rdma (Remote Direct Memory Access)-support-bandwidth, and so on, as leaf elements. Herein, information elements of the storage are illustrated, as an example. With respect to information elements such as CPUs, virtual switches, security, hypervisor, PCIe (PCE express), and reliability and availability, Non-Patent Literature 1 may be referred to as necessary.

Templates for virtual link (Virtual Link), connection points (Connection Points), deployment flavor (Deployment Flavor), and Constituent VDU in the VNF descriptor (VNFD) in FIG. 5 are respectively illustrated in FIG. 8B, FIG. 8C, FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9B. Regarding the virtual link (Virtual Link), connection point (Connection Point), deployment flavor (Deployment Flavor), and Constituent VDU, reference may be made respectively to 6.3.1.3. in Non-Patent Literature 1, 6.3.1.4 in Non-Patent Literature 1, 6.3.1.5 in Non-Patent Literature 1, and 6.3.1.5.1 in Non-Patent Literature 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 8A, a template (descriptor) of a storage includes leaf elements such as a storage requirement (storage requirement), and an rdma (Remote Direct Memory Access)-support-bandwidth.

For an application (VNF) in the NFV where reliability and availability are demanded, a duplex configuration, or a configuration of N-plexing, N+1 redundancy, or the like of a hot standby scheme is employed.

In a duplex system or a redundancy configuration such as an N+1 configuration including an active system and a standby system, there is such an arrangement in which a storage (Storage) is shared among respective VDUs, for example.

However, in VNF descriptor (VNFD) in the standard specification for the NFV disclosed in Non-Patent Literature 1 or the like, information (in FIG. 8A) on a storage (Storage) to be used by VDU is described as storage information (vdu information (storage)) connected to VDU that is a reference (reference) element, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In the data structure illustrated in FIG. 5, there is provided no means, such as a path, to relate (associate) information on a storage or the like connected to a VDU (Element) different from one VDU to information elements of the one VDU. Therefore, there is a problem in VNFD in accordance with the standard specification for NFV in Non-Patent Literature 1 or the like that a storage (Storage) cannot be shared between VDUs (findings by the inventors of the present invention).

Accordingly, the present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a network functions virtualization management and orchestration method, a network functions virtualization management and orchestration system, and a medium storing therein a program that allow sharing of a resource such as a storage (Storage) apparatus among VDUs.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising:

providing, in a VNF (Virtualized Network Function) descriptor (VNFD), an entry that describes a definition of at least one predetermined apparatus connected to a VDU (Virtual Deployment Unit) on a same layer as an information element of the VDU, with a definition element provided under the entry in the VNFD, the definition element including an apparatus name of the apparatus and being associated with the entry, and storing the VNFD in a storage unit; and

receiving the VNFD from the storage unit and creating an associated instance.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus including:

a storage unit that stores a VNF (Virtualized Network Function) descriptor (VNFD) provided with an entry that describes a definition of at least one predetermined apparatus connected to a VDU (Virtual Deployment Unit) on a same layer as an information element of the VDU, the VNFD including, under the entry, a definition element including at least an apparatus name of the apparatus and being associated with the entry; and

a unit that receives the VNFD from the storage unit and creates an associated instance.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing therein a program configured to cause a computer to execute processing comprising:

receiving a VNF (Virtualized Network Function) descriptor (VNFD) from a storage unit, and creating an associated instance, the storage unit storing the VNFD provided with an entry that describes a definition of at least one predetermined apparatus connected to a VDU (Virtual Deployment Unit) on a same layer as an information element of the VDU, the VNFD including, under the entry, a definition element including at least an apparatus name of the apparatus and being associated with the entry. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium may be such as a magnetic disk or a semiconductor memory storing the computer program therein.

According to the present invention, the VNF descriptor (VNFD) that allows sharing of a resource such as a storage (Storage) among the VDUs can be provided.

Still other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein only exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out this invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating NFV-MANO of an NFV architecture (cited from FIG. 5.1 in Non-Patent Literature 1).

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating templates and instance records according to Non-Patent Literature 1 (cited from FIG. 6.2 in Non-Patent Literature 1).

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among a VNF, VNFCs, and VDUs.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a logical relationship among descriptors (cited from FIG. 6.4 in Non-Patent Literature 1).

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a structure of a VNF descriptor (vnfd).

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating information elements in a table of the VNF descriptor (vnfd) (cited from 6.3.1.1 in Non-Patent Literature 1).

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating information elements of VDU.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating information elements of VNFC.

FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating information elements of Connection point (FIGS. 7A-7C: respectively cited from 6.3.1.2.1, 6.3.1.2.1.1, and 6.3.1.2.1.2 in Non-Patent Literature 1).

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating VDU information elements related to storage.

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating information elements of VNF internal Virtual Link.

FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating information elements of Connection points (cited from 6.3.1.2.10 in Non-Patent Literature 1).

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating information elements of deployment flavor (Deployment Flavor).

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating information elements of constituent VDU (FIGS. 9A and 9B: respectively cited from 6.3.1.5 and 6.3.1.5.1 in Non-Patent Literature 1).

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of comparison based on FIG. 6

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating information elements of a VNF descriptor (vnfd) in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a storage definition in the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating information elements related to a storage connected to a VM in the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating a structure of the VNF descriptor (vnfd) in the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an NFV-MANO system configured to process the descriptor in the exemplary embodiment.

PREFERRED MODES

According to one of some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an entry that describes a definition relating to at least one apparatus, such as a storage, that gives an execution environment of a VNF (Virtualized Network Function) is provided on a same layer (immediately below a root), as an ID of a VNF descriptor (VNFD) and an information element of a VDU in the VNFD, and an information element (definition element including at least an apparatus name of the apparatus) is associated with the entry, wherein the VNFD is a deployment template that describes the VNF in terms of deployment and operational behavior requirements. An NFV-MANO (see FIG. 2) receives this VNFD and creates an associated instance, for example.

According to one of the exemplary embodiments, as an information element that defines a storage, a storage definition entry that describes a definition of the storage is provided on the same layer as an information element of VDU. The storage definition (Storage Definition) entry includes, under the storage definition entry, a storage definition element (Storage Definition Element) including at least a storage name with an element type being a leaf type. In VDU, by specifying, as a storage resource to be used by the VDU, the storage definition entry on the same layer as the information element of the VDU defined in the VNFD, and using the same storage name among the VDUs, sharing of the same storage among the VDUs is made possible. That is, according to one of the exemplary embodiments, an instance (VM) created based on the VNF descriptor (VNFD) allows sharing of the same storage among the VDUs different to each other.

Now, the problem to be solved by the present invention described above, which becomes a premise of the present invention will be further analyzed. In the structure of the VNF descriptor (VNFD) in the standard specification defined in Non-Patent Literature 1 or the like, by specifying characteristics (storage characteristic requirements such as a size) of a storage in VDU descriptor (VNFD), VNF can be deployed on an appropriate platform, as described d with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 7A. However, since the information on the storage is described in the VDU descriptor (or the storage definition information elements are associated with the VDU descriptor), the storage (Storage) cannot be shared among the VDUs. A description will be given about this respect, with reference to a comparison example illustrated in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 10, VNFC 1-1 and VNFC 1-2 in VDU 1 access a storage (Storage) 1.

In VDU 2, VNFC accesses a storage (Storage) 2, on a per-VDU basis. VNFC in the VDU 2 cannot access the storage 1. Though VNFC 3-1 and VNFC 3-2 access the storage 2, VNFC 2-1, VNFC 2-2, and VNFC 2-3 cannot access the storage (Storage) 1 (can access only storage 2). This is because VDU information element related to the storage is defined as a leaf (Leaf), for each VDU. Receiving a VNF descriptor, NFV-MANO creates different instances (storages) for different VDUs. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 10, each VNFC in the same VDU is allowed to access the same storage.

In this exemplary embodiment, in order to solve this kind of problem, a VNF descriptor (VNFD) is configured as follows. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating this exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 11A and 11B correspond to the “VNFD base information elements” in FIG. 6 described above. FIG. 11A illustrates a portion of FIG. 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 11A, a storage definition (Storage Definition) being an information element that describes a definition about a storage is provided on a same layer as an identifier (ID (identifier)), a vendor (Vendor), a version (Version), and one or more VDUs. This storage definition (of an Element Type) includes, as a child node, storage definition elements (Storage Definition Element) (in FIG. 11B) that include at least a storage name and are leaf elements. The storage definition elements (Storage Definition Element) include information elements (leaf elements) of storage name (Storage name), type (Type), and size (Size).

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a structure of the VNF descriptor in this exemplary embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 5 described above (corresponds to the VNFD in FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 13, the VNF descriptor (VNFD) includes storage definition information elements (1 to N Storage Definition elements) that are entered on the same layer as information elements of vdu, Virtual Link, Connection Points, and Deployment Flavor. A type of each entry (information element) of the storage definition added to the VNF descriptor (vnfd) is an Element, and includes the storage definition element (Storage Definition Element) as a child node.

In this exemplary embodiment, VDU designates a storage definition (Storage Definition) defined in the VNFD descriptor.

Using the storage information defined in the VNFD by each VDU, allows the same storage to be shared among a plurality (1:N) of VDUs.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating information elements of a storage for a virtual machine (VM). The information elements in FIG. 12 are referred to as definition information of a storage to which a VNFC is connected, and VNFC can specify a storage connected thereto by a storage name.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, for example, according to this exemplary embodiment, definition of a storage to which VNFC 2-1, VNFC 2-2, and VNFC 2-3 in VDU 2 are respectively connected is set to a storage name (Storage1) of a storage 1, to allow VNFC 2-1, VNFC 2-2, and VNFC 2-3 in VDU 2 to be connected to the storage 1 to which VNFC 1-1 and VNFC 1-2 in VDU 1 are connected. By using a similar arrangement, VNFC 3-1 and VNFC 3-2 in VDU 2 can also be connected to the storage 1 to which VNFC 1-1 and VNFC 1-2 in VDU 1 is connected (and vice versa).

VNFC in VDU 2 may be, as a matter of course, so configured that an instance connected to a storage in VDU is created as a default, and when the storage definition (Storage Definition) described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13 is incorporated in the VNF descriptor and an information element of a storage name (in FIG. 12) accessed by VNFC is defined, an instance connected to storages of different VDUs (across the VDUs) is created.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the NFV-MANO (in FIG. 2) configured to execute a process of loading the VNF descriptor (vnfd) in this exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 and generating an NFV instance. The process may be implemented in NFVO, VFNM, or the like of NFV-MANO as a program. In this case, a processor (CPU (Central Processing Unit)), not shown, which constitutes NFVO, VNFM, or the like of the NFV-MANO loads the program stored in a semiconductor memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like into a main memory, and executes the program, thereby implementing a VNF descriptor loading process from the storage unit and an NFV instance creation process.

Referring to FIG. 15, NFV-MANO 100 includes a descriptor input unit 101 configured to receive the VNF descriptor (vnfd) (including an information element of a VM name) in this exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 and so on, an instantiation input parameter input unit 102 configured to receive an instantiation input parameter, an instantiation execution unit 103 configured to execute an instantiation operation, and an instance record output unit 104 configured to output an instance record. The instance record and data are stored in an instance record storage unit 112.

For example, from OSS/BSS or VNFM to NFVO, NS (Network Service) or VNF instantiation operation is executed. The instantiation input parameter is used to customize network service NS or VNF to specific instantiation, for example. As the instantiation input parameter, information for identifying a deployment flavor (Deployment Flavor) to be used, and VNF and PNF to be incorporated by the instantiation operation are referred to. The instantiation execution unit 103 creates records (NSR, VNFR, VLR, VNFFGR and so forth) indicating a newly created instance. Each record created based on information given by each descriptor and additional runtime information related to a component instance, provides a data group necessary for modeling a state of a network service (NS) instance, VNF instance, VNFFG instance, or VL (Virtual Link) instance.

In the above-described exemplary embodiment, VDU uses the storage information defined in VNFD, to allow the same storage to be shared among a plurality of VDUs. This arrangement is not limited to a storage. Regarding a different appliance defined on a per VDU basis among hardware apparatuses (such as a network apparatus) that constitutes an execution infrastructure of VNF, by employing a similar descriptor configuration, it becomes possible to share the different appliance among VDUs.

Each disclosure of the above-listed Non-Patent Literature is incorporated herein by reference. Modification and adjustment of each exemplary embodiment or each example are possible within the scope of the overall disclosure (including the claims) of the present invention and based on the basic technical concept of the present invention. Various combinations and selections of various disclosed elements (including each element in each claim, each element in each example, each element in each drawing, and so on) are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention. That is, the present invention naturally includes various variations and modifications that could be made by those skilled in the art according to the overall disclosure including the claims and the technical concept. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A network functions virtualization management and orchestration method comprising: storing in a storage unit, a Virtualized Network Function descriptor (VNFD), which includes an entry on a same layer as an information element of a Virtual Deployment Unit (VDU), wherein the entry describes a definition of at least one storage apparatus connected to the VDU, and the entry includes a name of the storage apparatus as a child node of the entry; and receiving the VNFD from the storage unit and creating an associated VDU instance based on the VNFD, wherein when a plurality of VDUs specify a same name of the storage apparatus included in the entry in the VNFD, the plurality of VDU instances connecting to the same storage apparatus are created based on the VNFD, while when a plurality of Virtualized Network Functions Components (VNFCs) to be deployed in a same VDU instance, use different names of storage apparatuses included in the entries in the VNFD, the plurality of Virtualized Network Functions Components (VNFCs) deployed in the same VDU instance, connect to the different storage apparatuses.
 2. The network functions virtualization management and orchestration method according to claim 1, wherein the VNFD includes, as the entry, a storage definition entry that describes a definition of the storage, provided on the same layer as the information element of the VDU, wherein the storage definition entry includes, under the storage definition entry, a storage definition element including at least a storage name, an element type thereof being a leaf type.
 3. A network functions virtualization management and orchestration apparatus comprising: a processor coupled with a memory storing program instructions executable by the processor; and a storage unit that stores a Virtualized Network Function descriptor (VNFD) that includes an entry on a same layer as an information element of the Virtual Deployment Unit (VDU), wherein the entry describes a definition of at least one storage apparatus connected to the VDU, and the entry includes a name of the storage apparatus as a child node, and wherein the processor is configured to receive the VNFD from the storage unit and creates an associated VDU instance based on the VNFD, wherein when a plurality of VDUs specify a same name of the storage apparatus included in the entry in the VNFD, the processor creates the plurality of VDU instances connecting to the same storage apparatus based on the VNFD, while when a plurality of Virtualized Network Functions Components (VNFCs) to be deployed in a same VDU instance, use different names of storage apparatuses included in the entries in the VNFD, the processor creates the plurality of Virtualized Network Functions Components (VNFCs) deployed in the same VDU instance, that connect to the different storage apparatuses.
 4. The network functions virtualization management and orchestration apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the VNFD includes, as the entry, a storage definition entry that describes a definition of the storage, provided on the same layer as the information element of the VDU, wherein the storage definition entry includes, under the storage definition entry, a storage definition element including at least a storage name, an element type thereof being a leaf type.
 5. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing therein a program causing a computer to execute processing including: receiving, from a storage unit, a Virtualized Network Function descriptor (VNFD) that includes an entry on a same layer as an information element of a Virtual Deployment Unit (VDU), wherein the entry describes a definition of at least one storage apparatus connected to the VDU, and the entry includes a name of the storage apparatus as a child node of the entry; and creating an associated VDU instance based on the VNFD, wherein the program further causes the computer to execute: when a plurality of VDUs specify a same name of the storage apparatus included in the entry in the VNFD, creating the plurality of VDU instances connecting to the same storage apparatus based on the VNFD, while when a plurality of Virtualized Network Functions Components (VNFCs) to be deployed in a same VDU instance, use different names of storage apparatuses included in the entries in the VNFD, creating the plurality of Virtualized Network Functions Components (VNFCs) deployed in the same VDU instance, that connect to the different storage apparatuses.
 6. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to claim 5, wherein the VNFD includes, as the entry, a storage definition entry that describes a definition of the storage, provided on the same layer as the information element of the VDU, wherein the storage definition entry includes, under the storage definition entry, a storage definition element including at least a storage name, an element type thereof being a leaf type. 